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Mark Schlereth isn't just another pretty TV face. He played guard for 12 NFL seasons, won two Super Bowls and made a couple of Pro Bowls.

He knows a little something about the importance of a pass rush. Yet when he watches the New York Jets play, he doesn't see much for opposing offenses to worry about.

The Jets managed to sack Tom Brady three times Monday night, but they generally failed to disrupt him. The Jets didn't hit Brady once other than those sacks, and the New England Patriots' quarterback had a monster game: 326 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Schlereth notes a lack of pressure is a major concern for the Jets, who will try to rebound Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at the Meadowlands.

"The one thing I look at with this Jets football team: defensive pressure," Schlereth said. "You're a blitz team. You don't have anybody on your front three, front four, your linebacking corps that are great one-on-one pass-rushers. So you have to create pressure with your blitz.

"They're going to have to do a much better job from timing and execution for getting guys to the opponent's quarterback. Last week against the Patriots they were late, they were late on the execution of the blitz and they did not pressure Tom Brady. If they don't pressure, they don't win."

Rex Ryan has a reputation for his aggressive, mayhem-making defenses. But the Jets are tied for 12th in the league with 27 sacks.

Jason Taylor leads the Jets with four sacks, which is tied for 49th in the NFL. Taylor barely got on the field against the Patriots even though no active player has sacked Brady more often. Taylor has sacked Brady 10.5 times, second only to Aaron Schobel's dozen.

Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis each have 3.5 sacks. David Harris, Bryan Thomas and James Ihedigbo have three sacks apiece, but Ihedigbo is out with ankle and knee injuries.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 3:

The best way for the Dolphins to put up points on the Jets won't be the run game or the long ball. When thinking about what the Dolphins' offense can do best, two images come to mind: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams pounding the ball and Chad Henne using his big arm. The best formula might be the short passing game. Since Jets head coach Rex Ryan took over and installed his defense, the Jets have allowed only 27.1 percent completions on passes longer than 15 yards, but 60.3 percent on passes 14 yards or shorter, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Henne took advantage last year in beating the Jets twice, completing 75 percent of his passes of 14 yards or shorter. He averaged 7.1 yards per attempt, gained 17 first downs and threw for a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. On such throws against the Jets, Henne posted a 110.9 passer rating.

Nobody should be laughing about the Bills' chances to beat the Patriots. True enough, the Bills never have won in Gillette Stadium and have lost 13 straight to the Patriots regardless of venue. But let's not forget the Bills would've won in New England last year if not for a fluke play. Buffalo presents some tough matchups for New England. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't Buffalo's franchise quarterback, but he's the right choice for this game. New England's secondary has been vulnerable, and, unlike Trent Edwards, Fitzpatrick will test those unproven cornerbacks. Buffalo's chief strength is its underrated pass defense. If the Bills can get some pressure on Tom Brady, especially with sergeant at arms Kevin Faulk out of the lineup, then they'll have a chance.

Sunday night could be a huge turnover game for Mark Sanchez. Young quarterbacks are erratic. Just when you think they have it figured out -- Sanchez had the best day of his career last week against New England -- they waver. Sanchez hasn't committed a turnover this season, but Miami has an opportunistic defense that must be passed against if New York wants to win. Miami extracted four turnovers out of Brett Favre last week. Granted, Favre has been prone to those kinds of games throughout his career, but Sanchez has shown that propensity as well. Sanchez will need to be on point.

Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain is looking at Sunday's game like it's Christmas. When you look at Banta-Cain's stat line for last year, you can't help but be impressed. He led the Patriots with 10 sacks. But take a look at his game-by-game production. Seven of his sacks came on three days, leaving him with three sacks in his other 13 games. Banta-Cain amassed five of his sacks against the Bills, two in the season opener and three more in the rematch. He's off to a decent start this year with 1.5 sacks through two games.

As happy as Brady is to know Aaron Schobel won't be chasing him Sunday, the Jets have to be even more stoked Ted Ginn isn't with the Dolphins anymore. The Jets went to the playoffs last year, while the Dolphins watched on television. But the Dolphins did sweep the season series with monumental contributions from Ginn, whose last memory in South Florida will be of dropped passes and torturing the Jets. In the first game, which featured five lead changes in the fourth quarter, Ginn beat broken coverage for a 53-yard touchdown strike from Henne. In the rematch, Ginn set an NFL record by returning two kickoffs of at least 100 yards for touchdowns in a game the Jets lost by five points.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are off to a dubious start. They're being talked about as possibly the NFL's worst team. Some pundits already have put them on the clock for the first draft choice of 2011.

The Bills are 0-2 and headed to a place they've never won to play one of the league's marquee franchises, the New England Patriots.

Bills cornerback Drayton Florence isn't quaking in his cleats, but he understands why nobody is giving his team a popsicle's chance in Hades to win Sunday.

"The way we've been playing, anytime we beat anybody it's going to be an upset," Florence told me in the Bills' locker room Friday. "You've just got to keep grinding. Nobody's giving us a chance, but who knows who's going to win the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year?

"You've got to have a sense of pride in your work. If you go out there with a chip on your shoulder and some pride, this thing should get turned around."

The idea of going on the road to defend Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker can't be too appealing. But the Bills might actually match up well against the Patriots' offense. The Bills rated second in pass defense last year, you know.

In their last game, the Bills held Brady to 47.8 percent completions and a 59.1 passer rating. The Patriots won with a rushing attack led by Laurence Maroney (no longer on the team). Third-down back Kevin Faulk also is gone because of a knee injury.

Brady threw 11 passes Welker's way that frigid day, but they connected only four times. Moss caught five of his seven targets for 70 yards and a touchdown.

"They do a lot of things with Wes, getting him off the ball, putting him in motion so you can't really get a jam on him," Florence said, "but you've got to be physical with all those guys."

Florence said the key to victory will be generating a pass rush. Brady expressed glee this week when talking about old nemesis Aaron Schobel not being around anymore. Schobel sacked him 12 times for the Bills.

"I'm glad he retired," Brady said on a conference call with Bills reporters Wednesday. "Believe me. No one's happier than I am. He sacked me more than anyone in the league.

"He's a tough competitor, but the guys in his place, there's a good group of pass-rushers up there. Kyle Williams, I really like him. It's a big defensive front that can really push the pocket. So we've got to stand up to them."

The Bills' pass rush was meek against the Green Bay Packers last week, but they recorded three sacks and eight quarterback hits on the Miami Dolphins' respected offensive line in Week 1.

"Any time you can disguise coverage and get pressure on the quarterback, no matter who you're playing, that's always a plus," Florence said. "Whenever the quarterback's got to move around in the pocket to make his reads and make his adjustments, especially a guy like Tom, if you show him what you're in, he's going to know where the mismatch is.

"Playing aggressive always is going to be a key."

Ross Tucker, a great friend of the AFC East blog, made his ESPN debut Wednesday with one of his typically insightful columns and a lengthy podcast in which he discussed a smorgasbord of topics.

Tucker, formerly of SI.com, gave his take on New York Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins' season-ending injury, the New England Patriots' decision to trade running back Laurence Maroney, the Houston Texans' inability to sign former Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel and the controversy in the Jets' locker room.

The podcast highlight (at about the 14-minute mark) was an interview with Bills icon Jim Kelly. They talked about the Bills' disappointing opener, their future at quarterback and the NFL's concussion problem.

"I had six concussions," Kelly said. "There are so many people talking about it. They're looking for it. They're looking after it. They're making sure that players don't go back out onto the field.

"Back in the day, 'Aw, you got dinged. You'll be all right.' I know that happened to me probably a half a dozen times where there's no doubt I shouldn't have went back out onto the football field. I didn't even know my name, but I was going back out there.

"But back then it was different because your teammates looked for you to be tough, to stay out there when you’re hurt. I'd look at my teammates the same way."

Tucker followed up on lingering issues when Kelly made reference to his memory being "shot." Kelly said he has seen noted concussion specialist Dr. James Kelly (seriously) in Chicago.

"I do have scar tissue built up," Jim Kelly said. "My memory is pretty bad.

"What me and my wife like to do is go to movies. I'll say 'Why don't we see this movie?' She'll say 'Jim, we already did.' I go 'When?' She goes 'About a month and a half ago.' "

On the day the New Orleans Saints held their Super Bowl parade, long before the free-agency period opened and the draft took place, Scouts Inc. analyst Gary Horton examined the top three needs of every NFL team heading into the offseason.

Now that we've gone through offseason workouts, minicamps, training camps and three preseason games, let's take a look at each AFC East need and determine whether it was addressed.

Buffalo Bills

1. Outside linebacker: At the time of Horton's analysis, he didn't know Aaron Schobel would retire. Schobel would have been Buffalo's best pass-rusher in its new 3-4 defense. The Bills signed free agent Reggie Torbor and are hoping a group that also includes Chris Kelsay, Chris Ellis and Aaron Maybin will suffice. Need addressed? No.

2. Left tackle: The Bills chose to stick with Demetrius Bell. The Bills still haven't drafted a tackle earlier than the fifth round since 2002. Of the two they did draft, fifth-rounder Ed Wang is hurt and seventh-rounder Kyle Calloway already has been released. The Bills did sign Oakland Raiders free agent Cornell Green to play right tackle. Need addressed? No.

3. Quarterback: The Bills did next to nothing at quarterback, drafting long-term project Levi Brown in the seventh round and letting Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm shoot it out. Edwards won a not-so-open competition. Need addressed? No.

Miami Dolphins

1. Wide receiver: Did the Dolphins address this need? Hmmm ... Let's see ... Oh, wait. That's right. They traded for Brandon Marshall, who has recorded triple-digit receptions in three straight seasons. Marshall was one of the most enormous transactions of the offseason. Need addressed? Yes.

2. Free safety: The Dolphins drafted Reshad Jones in the fifth round, but sophomore Chris Clemons has held down the position admirably. It won't be tough to outplay last year's starter, Gibril Wilson. Need addressed? Yes.

3. Nose tackle: The situation actually got worse and worse after Horton formed his analysis. Jason Ferguson was suspended eight games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The Dolphins re-signed Ferguson, but then he retired. The Dolphins didn't draft a nose tackle, choosing to convert defensive end Randy Starks instead. Starks is undersized for a traditional 3-4 nose tackle, but Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has claimed Starks' speed has upgraded the position. Need addressed? Yes.

New England Patriots

1. Outside linebacker: Horton wrote "This defense must generate pass-rush pressure from its outside linebackers, but the Pats are devoid of playmakers and have virtually no depth at this position." They've gotten shallower with the release of Adalius Thomas, who started their playoff game. Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess are back and penciled in as the starters. The Patriots drafted pass-rusher Jermaine Cunningham 53rd overall, but he has been too hurt to get on the practice field. Need addressed? No.

2. Wide receiver: Wes Welker was looking at a potentially long rehab at the time Horton wrote his offseason preview. Randy Moss' age also was a concern. But Welker's recovery has been quick. Moss has looked phenomenal. Emerging youngsters Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate and third-round draft pick Taylor Price should be more than enough. Need addressed? Yes.

3. Defensive end: Little did Horton know how badly the Patriots would need help here. Left end Ty Warren is done for the year because of a hip injury. Right end Jarvis Green split for the Denver Broncos. The Patriots signed free agent Gerard Warren and have moved last year's super reserve, Mike Wright, into the starting lineup. Need addressed? No.

New York Jets

1. Defensive end: Horton's concern was with the age of incumbents Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas. Ellis is back. Douglas was a free agent who departed for the Dolphins. The Jets didn't draft any defensive linemen and didn't sign any notable free agents there. They did move Vernon Gholston from outside linebacker to defensive end. Need addressed? No.

2. Safety: Compared to the Jets' banner acquisitions, Brodney Pool was a blip. The Cleveland Browns gave up on him because of recurring concussions, but the Jets' medical staff found his problem was related to migraine headaches. He's a multifaceted safety with a nose for the ball, interception four passes in 10 games last year. Need addressed? Yes.

3. Wide receiver: The Jets practically stole Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round draft choice. Holmes was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII and was coming off a 1,248-yard season. But character issues, underscored by a four-game suspension to start the season, made him a bargain. Need addressed? Yes.

Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey revealed Wednesday safety Jairus Byrd had groin surgery for a third time in the past 13 months and will be out indefinitely.

The problem is related to the sports-hernia surgery Byrd underwent before the end of last season. Still, Byrd managed to intercept nine passes in just 14 games (11 starts) and tied for the NFL lead. He was selected for the Pro Bowl but couldn't play.

"It looks like he's going to be out for a while," Gailey said. "We're hoping first game, but it may be not."

Buffalo's prospects for 2010 were dim enough without their roster being ravaged by injuries.

For context on how rough training camp has been, here's a loosely comprised list of their top few players, not counting punter Brian Moorman or kicker Rian Lindell.

• Wide receiver Lee Evans: healthy.
• Outside linebacker Aaron Schobel: released/retired.
• Running back Fred Jackson: out four to six weeks with a broken hand.
• Running back Marshawn Lynch: out three to four weeks with a sprained ankle.
• Inside linebacker Paul Posluszny: missed first two weeks and preseason opener after groin surgery ... expected to play Thursday night against Indianapolis Colts.
• Cornerback Terrence McGee: healthy.
• Safety Jairus Byrd: out indefinitely after groin surgery.
• Running back C.J. Spiller: healthy ... not sure yet where the rookie should rank on this list, but he belongs.

Did I forget anybody? Maybe you can put defensive lineman Marcus Stroud in there somewhere. He's also healthy.

Also hurt for the Bills: receivers David Nelson (leg), James Hardy (foot) and Marcus Easley (knee) and linebacker Chris Kelsay (shoulder).

Left tackle Demetrius Bell (knee) and right guard Eric Wood (leg) have been moved along cautiously as they recover from injuries suffered last year. Both are expected to play Thursday night.

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- The New England Patriots won't sign veteran pass-rusher Aaron Schobel.

Nobody will.

Schobel, after nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills, announced Monday he has decided to retire after a summer of vacillating. The Bills tired of his indecisiveness two weeks ago and cut him. That allowed him to sign with any team he wanted in pursuit of a championship.

He apparently didn't have the stomach for it anymore.

"Aaron Schobel wore out," New York Jets outside linebacker Jason Taylor said. "Plus, losing will do that to you, too. When you're winning, everything's a little easier."

Schobel's situation came up in a conversation I had with Taylor on Saturday morning. Nobody terrorized AFC East quarterbacks more over the past decade than they did. Taylor is the NFL's active sacks leader with all but 3.5 of his 127.5 career sacks occurring with the Miami Dolphins. Schobel's 74 career sacks -- all with the Bills -- are second in the division.

Schobel also tops the list of sacks on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with 12. Taylor is next with 9.5 sacks.

Despite Schobel's production and two Pro Bowl selections, Buffalo had only one winning season since it drafted him in 2001.

"That's sad," Taylor said. "As a competitor and as an athlete, you understand what they go through. Nobody likes to be on the losing end of things.

"He's such a good player, plays the game so hard and always laid it on the line. He's one of those guys that we around the league look at and respect the way the kid works. Everybody has a boiling point. I guess he hit his."

That's when I mentioned to Taylor that as bleak as the Bills' outlook was for 2010, they also lost running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to injuries on the opening drive of Friday night's preseason opener.

"Yikes," said Taylor, his eyes bulging at the news. "You never count anybody out in this league, though, but goodness gracious."

Some Buffalo Bills fans took umbrage with a remark I made in a Wednesday blog item about their team's playoff chances.

New coach Chan Gailey wondered out loud why the Bills couldn't get to the playoffs.

I proposed if the Bills reached the postseason this year, then it might be considered a more miraculous feat than the Miami Dolphins rebounding from a 1-15 record to win the AFC East in 2008.

Allow me to explain my thinking and then feel free to share your opinion in the comments section below.

I understand the Bills weren't as bad last year as the abysmal '07 Dolphins were on the field.

Still, the Dolphins winning the AFC East is more plausible to me because (other than the fact they actually did it) the organizational cultures were significantly different for the Dolphins at this time in 2008 compared to where the Bills are today.

The main reason is Bill Parcells, who was given complete control over football operations. The Dolphins already had a few incumbent stars on their roster: running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and outside linebacker Joey Porter. They drafted franchise left tackle Jake Long with the No. 1 pick.

Parcells drew proven coaches and free agents to the club. The Dolphins also made trades. They acquired quarterback Chad Pennington, tight end Anthony Fasano, guard Justin Smiley and nose tackle Jason Ferguson.

People wanted to be Dolphins.

Compare that to the Bills, who haven't been to the playoffs for a decade and have one winning season in that span. The Dolphins have four seasons of double-digit victories since the Bills last appeared in the playoffs.

I like what Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix are doing to rebuild the program, but they don't have the automatic credibility Parcells brings.

The Bills have little star power or drawing power. Their most-accomplished player, two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel, apparently wanted out. They aren't entirely sure who their quarterback will be -- or their offensive tackles. Their top free-agent signings were defensive end Dwan Edwards and inside linebacker Andra Davis, nice players but not course-changers.

While the Dolphins had Long under contract before the draft, the Bills still haven't signed rookie running back C.J. Spiller, the ninth overall pick, a week into camp.

The competition is tougher for Buffalo this year than it was for Miami in 2008. Miami had an amazingly easy schedule, playing the soft AFC West and NFC West. Miami's combined opponents went 118-138 for a .461 win percentage that season. Aside from Bill Belichick, the AFC East coaches Tony Sparano had to match wits with were Eric Mangini and Dick Jauron.

The Bills' schedule strength is tied for 14th based on last year's records at 128-128. They will have to play the rugged AFC North and NFC North in cross-division games. Gailey has to face Belichick, Rex Ryan and Sparano in the division.

That's why I look at the Bills' chances to make the playoffs and think it can be debated their road ahead is tougher than what the Dolphins had in 2008.

Nobody has sacked Tom Brady more often than Aaron Schobel.

For that reason alone, the New England Patriots were thrilled to hear the Buffalo Bills officially released Schobel on Wednesday afternoon.

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss advocates the Patriots snatch him up. All indications point to Schobel playing in 2010 after dawdling the Bills into a release.

Reiss writes "It just makes too much sense."

The Patriots wouldn't be counting on Schobel to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 alignment. That would be unrealistic when considering that Schobel has been a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme his entire career.

But given the way the Patriots vary their defensive plan from week to week, and have multiple packages within their scheme, it's easy to imagine a significant role for Schobel in which he could be unleashed to do what he does best: get after the quarterback as an end-of-the-line defender. His presence would be huge in weeks when the team elects to play a four-man line, such as last year's matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

Had the Bills been competitive during Schobel's time with the team and made the playoffs once or twice in his nine seasons, it's difficult to imagine him pulling this stunt. Reports have underscored his interest in playing for the Houston Texans, but the Patriots might entice him as perennial contenders.

The Patriots are in a bind at outside linebacker. Derrick Burgess is pulling his own Schobel indecision act, declining to show up for the start of camp and let the Patriots dangle while he contemplates retirement.

"He's killed us," Belichick said before a Patriots-Bills game in 2007. "He's got a lot of things going for him. He's got a great motor. He works hard on every play. He's never out of a play. He's got several good moves. He can get up-field. He's got a good spin move. Even though he's not the biggest guy, he's got explosive power. He's hard for everybody to block."

And, for no other reason that the fact I had it in my quote archives, here is what New York Jets coach Rex Ryan had to say about Schobel last season:

"I really like Schobel. I like the way he plays," Ryan said. "You can ask Schobel, I worked him out actually when he came out of TCU. He can tell you how heavy I am because the first thing he said was, ‘My God, how much do you weigh?’ when I was trying to leverage him. What a tremendous player he is. I’ve just got a lot of respect for him."

But don't get excited, Jets fans. A league source tells me the Jets aren't interested in pursuing him.

Aaron Schobel is about to hit the open market.

The Buffalo Bills will release Schobel on Wednesday and the Pro Bowl pass-rusher will play somewhere in 2010, a league source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schobel spent his career as a 4-3 defensive end, but he also could help a 3-4 team on the edge. While much of the speculation has him headed to the Houston Texans, he could remain within the AFC East.

The New England Patriots certainly will be among the interested teams. They are thin at outside linebacker, with Derrick Burgess not in camp and contemplating retirement.

A league source informs me the New York Jets are not interested in signing Schobel.

The Buffalo Bills will need to be careful in how they handle their break from pass-rusher Aaron Schobel.

Their best bet would be to trade him for as little as a late-round draft pick, not only to get an asset for their troubles, but also to have some sort of control over where Schobel lands.

Problem is, interested teams know the Bills have had it with Schobel. Bills general manager Buddy Nix publicly declared Schobel never will play for them again. So teams won't be as motivated to make a trade. They'll just wait for the Bills to cut him.

As a free agent, Schobel will have his choice of multiple suitors and could haunt the Bills by staying in the AFC East. While the Bills are in rebuilding mode and can dump the dithering Schobel in good conscience, their division rivals have loftier goals.

Teams can always use a proven pass-rush specialist.

He'll turn 33 in a month, but he's only two years removed from his second Pro Bowl honor. He has recorded 78 sacks in his nine NFL seasons.

The New England Patriots are an obvious possibility. They are thin at outside linebacker. Derrick Burgess has declined to report to training camp and is contemplating retirement. The Patriots released Shawn Crable last week.

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss examined the possibility Bill Belichick would pursue Schobel, noting Schobel has been a Patriots killer over the years -- in terms of sacks if not victories.

The Miami Dolphins also have questions at outside linebacker. They've moved on from Joey Porter and Jason Taylor, and while they're excited about prospects Cameron Wake and Koa Misi, a veteran presence on the edge never hurts a team's playoff chances.

And what about the New York Jets? They identified their pass rush as an area to address over the offseason. The Jets brought Taylor aboard to join Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas. The Jets might seem set at outside linebacker, but head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum have been collecting players. They even explored Terrell Owens last week and eventually added Laveranues Coles despite already having a formidable receiver corps.

The Buffalo Bills simply had enough.

After a news release declared the Bills were done waiting on two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Aaron Schobel, general manager Buddy Nix explained the club's wise decision Monday.

The Bills have not released Schobel and hadn't explored trading him as of early Monday afternoon. For now, he remains on the reserve/did not report list. Schobel will have to formally make a choice on whether or not he wants to play or retire. Then the Bills will decide what they'll do.

Nix was definitive Schobel has played his final down for the Bills.

"We're trying to get our team ready to play this year, and we just thought it was time for us to move forward," Nix said. "We're really working some good players at that position, which really didn't have anything to do with it, but we're trying to get ready to play in 2010, and we think that's what we needed to do."

Nix added Schobel's base salary of $6 million this year and $6.5 million each of the next two seasons didn't play a role.

But his absence throughout the offseason clearly bothered Nix, who had been courteous in speaking about Schobel until Monday.

The Bills have switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, where Schobel would need to play outside linebacker. He has been a defensive end his entire career.

"Obviously, he's missed some learning," Nix said. "There's no doubt about it. But the bottom line is that we've got guys that have worked hard. They're doing everything they can, everything we ask them to do. We're thinking about them.

"Every decision we make will be based on what's best for us, what's best for this team and what's best for the Bills. I've told you guys that from the start, and that's going to stay true."

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 31

PITTSFORD. N.Y. -- Of any preseason prediction I can make, the one I'm most confident in is that the Buffalo Bills will finish fourth in the AFC East.

That slot would be neither general manager Buddy Nix's nor head coach Chan Gailey's fault. The problems they inherited have set the course for 2010.

But they are setting a tone for the long-term future the players can respect.

Gailey is trying to establish a new culture with his first training camp. He wants people to use two adjectives that haven't been associated with the Bills for a long time: tough and disciplined.

"He's very particular about things and how he wants them done," Bills receiver Lee Evans said. "We haven't really had that for a while here, with the head man running the show. You understand what he's trying to get done."

Gailey has kept his players in full pads at St. John Fisher College. Previous coach Dick Jauron rarely had his players in complete gear at camp.

Gailey believes players should be in pads and tested both physically and mentally. He's in a discovery phase not only about what he'll be able to work with on Sunday afternoons, but also keepers who will help him build a long-term foundation.

"When you actually have those shoulder pads on, mouthpiece in, chinstrap buckled up and you have to get off a block to make a play," safety George Wilson said, "that really shows the true testament of a real football player.

"That's what our coaching staff needs, a new staff that's coming in to evaluate this entire team and be able to put the best 53 men together for this 2010 season. I like what we’re doing. It's going to make us a lot more physical, a lot tougher, a lot more mentally prepared, and I have a positive outlook about it."

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can quarterback Trent Edwards capitalize on another opportunity? Bills fans seemed to be pulling for Brian Brohm to emerge as the favorite to win the starting quarterback job. A major reason is they haven't seen him truly fail yet -- unlike Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Yet, after several months working with his quarterbacks, Gailey liked Edwards best and installed him as the No. 1 quarterback to begin training camp. The battle remains open, but with Fitzpatrick and Brohm sharing reps with the backups and surrendering a few here and there to rookie Levi Brown, it's Edwards' job to lose. Based on Edwards' medical chart (combined with Hot Issue No. 2 below), there are no guarantees.

But Edwards has yet to get a fair shot to prove what he can do. He has experienced plenty of chaos since the Bills drafted him in the third round in 2007. Gailey is the first offensive-minded head coach Edwards has played under. Last year, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert got fired 10 days before the season, the Bills jettisoned both starting tackles (two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and the most experienced member of the offensive line, Langston Walker) from the season before and endured a futile no-huddle experiment.

Gailey has run successful offenses everywhere he has been. This finally could be a legitimate chance for Edwards to show what he can do.

2. How will the Bills survive without proven offensive tackles? The Bills aren't known for their pass rush, but it was apparent in the early days of practice their offensive tackles were overmatched in pass protection. For their safety, quarterbacks wear red jerseys to remind oncoming defenders not to hit them. Good thing, or else the Bills might have needed to sign some replacements already.

While some front offices believe guards are fungible and tackles vital, the Bills have operated contradictorily in recent years. They've drafted guards within the first two rounds (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre) and paid big bucks for a free agent (Derrick Dockery) while declining to draft a tackle earlier than the fifth round since 2002.

Left tackle Demetrius Bell has been limited in 11-on-11 drills because he's recovering from knee surgery. He received his first snaps Sunday. His replacement, Jamon Meredith, has been overwhelmed at times. The other tackles likely to make the 53-man roster -- Cornell Green, Kirk Chambers and rookie Ed Wang -- have looked ordinary at best.

3. What will happen with vacillating pass-rusher Aaron Schobel? He spent the entire offseason at his home in Texas, perhaps playing possum. He didn’t return to the Bills' facility to collect his roster bonus or participate in offseason workouts. He told some media outlets he was all but retired.

Then, on the verge of camp, the two-time Pro Bowler with a $6 million base salary expressed a change of heart. Schobel might want to play after all. Or maybe he's posturing for a trade, threatening to show up a month before the regular season despite failing to attend so much as a chalk-board session on the team's transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.

On Monday morning, the Bills provided a nebulous answer: In a news release, Nix announced the team is moving forward with plans that do not include Schobel.

Nix said: “Aaron has been contemplating retirement for the past seven months, but we are at the point where we are moving forward and have informed his agent of our plans.”

Schobel can improve the defense with his talents, but the team is rebuilding and going through a defensive transformation he has demurred from. If they cut him, then they forfeit an asset. A trade appears to be the best option to me.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Wide receiver Steve Johnson was an afterthought when the Bills drafted him in the seventh round three years ago. But the front office was quietly confident he would be a player someday. After getting buried on a depth chart that no longer includes Terrell Owens and Josh Reed, Johnson might be ready to emerge. Johnson opened camp as the starting No. 2 receiver opposite Evans. That puts James Hardy on the spot. The Bills took him in the second round the same year they drafted Johnson.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Rookie running back C.J. Spiller, the ninth overall draft choice, still hasn't been signed. Reports indicate it might be a while before he's under contract. The players around him in the draft order have come to terms, but Spiller was the first running back off the board and was considered the most electric playmaker in the draft. His agent, Gary Wichard, certainly is hammering home that point every time he speaks to the Bills. While it's true running backs can afford to miss practice more than other positions because their role is so reactionary, Spiller is more than that. The Bills also consider him a receiver, and that makes practice time more precious for learning the nuances of Gailey's offense.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The atmosphere at St. John Fisher College has been lifeless. It hasn't mattered whether it's morning, afternoon, night, weekday or weekend. The few fans who have shown up are silent.
• Fitzpatrick has been plagued by interceptions through the first few days of camp. Bills defenders seem to have developed a strong read on where he's going to throw.
• Gailey has mandated knee braces at practice for the offensive linemen, whether they've had injuries or not. He has been doing that since he began working with O-line coach Joe D'Alessandris at Georgia Tech in 2002. The players can opt out of the knee braces for games if they don't like how they feel.
• The Bills' defensive backs have sensational hands. In every drill I watched, it was rare to see a ball hit the ground.
• Left cornerback Leodis McKelvin has demonstrated lapses in concentration. He seemed lost in a passing drill Saturday, getting beaten by Hardy for an easy touchdown. Secondary coach George Catavolos had trouble getting McKelvin's attention afterward for some instruction. Soon after, McKelvin was dropping punts in a return drill.
• Inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell told me the unit relies on free-agent acquisition Andra Davis' insight when it comes to 3-4 questions. That also goes for inside linebackers coach DeMontie Cross, who hasn't coached an NFL 3-4 before.
• Mitchell on the 3-4: "It gives you more freedom. It allows you to showcase your ability a lot more. It's going to be a lot more fun."
• Brian Moorman and Rian Lindell are one of the NFL's best punter-kicker combos. The Bills didn't bother to bring in any additional legs.
• Wood is a head knocker. His quick return from a shattered left leg and no-nonsense demeanor on the field will make him popular in Buffalo.
• After obstructed media views on the opening day, the Bills did a fine job of reorganizing their access areas to allow better viewing of 11-on-11 drills.
• Outside linebacker Aaron Maybin has a body shape that stands out the moment you see him. Maybin looks like a Wii character, with a tiny waist that flares upward toward his shoulder pads. He told me his waist is 36 inches, but in pads it seems like a 28.
• I focused on the tight ends at the blocking sled Friday morning. I saw why sophomore Shawn Nelson is viewed as more receiver than blocker. He looked considerably less powerful than the rest. While Derek Schouman, Jonathan Stupar and Michael Matthews jacked the sled, Nelson merely budged it. Nelson is listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. Only Matthews is larger at 6-4 and 270.

The Buffalo Bills made the following announcement Monday morning regarding veteran linebacker Aaron Schobel:

Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix today is announcing that the team is moving forward with plans that do not include LB Aaron Schobel.

Nix said: “Aaron has been contemplating retirement for the past seven months, but we are at the point where we are moving forward and have informed his agent of our plans.

“Aaron has been a very good player for the Bills and we wish him and his family the best, but there comes a point where we have to move forward and that point is today. We are focusing on the team’s best interests.”

We'll see what sort of drama the New York Jets provide for us when they open training camp Monday.

A Darrelle Revis holdout perhaps?

So far, the rest of the AFC East is 3 for 3 with personnel uncertainties.

The Buffalo Bills don't know whether two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Aaron Schobel will retire or return. I gave my take on that situation Friday night.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White was a mysterious no-show Friday and the subject of season-ending reports until arriving Saturday morning.

And the New England Patriots have two players who surprised them with retirement talk.

Outside linebacker Derrick Burgess hasn't reported to camp and is said to be contemplating retirement. Then wide receiver David Patten went ahead and made his official.

Patten announced Saturday morning that he was done playing.

"I honestly felt like I could still play this game and play at a high level," Patten said. "I felt the competitive spirit and nature was still there, but over the course of the last two days and over the course of the break [before training camp] away from the team, there was a lot of reflection. There was a lot of contemplation.

"I just felt like it was time. It just hit me [Friday]. Camp was going really well. I was still able to go out and be competitive and operate at a high level, but I believe once you get to the point in your career where it's multiple years -- it would be my 13th year -- and you're thinking about it mentally and you're not 100 percent into it mentally wise, it's tough to play this game. I always felt like when I got to that that point, it would be in my best interests to walk away."

Hear that, Schobel?